Carnival Fascination Cruise Review by sasysutler: Fascination in a hectic world

Carnival Fascination

Overall Member Rating

Fascination in a hectic world

Sail Date:
May 2011
Destination:
Bahamas
Embarkation:
Jacksonville

This cruise was a Mother's day gift, and booked just 2 weeks prior to embarkation.

We spent two days before the cruise in St. Augustine, and then the night before at our son's home in Jacksonville. Monday morning we arrived at the port about 10:30am and within 5 minutes had our sign and sail cards in hand and then waited to board. Somewhere around 11:00 am they announced that there was a delay due to the Coast Guard doing an inspection of the ship. I felt bad for all the people outside the terminal as they shut down the complete operations inside the port. By noon we were on board and eating on the Lido deck. By 1:30 our bags were delivered to our room. Muster was at 3:45 (no life jackets required), but it seemed that we were an hour late setting sail.

The first day was a sea day. There is plenty to do and we never felt rushed, or crowded, even with like 900 kids aboard. Henni is a good cruise director, but Island Girl was fantastic.

Day 2 Key West.. 7 am to 2pm More
(nothing opens in key west till 10am)

Day 3 Nassau.. Not much there has changed, still dirty, but it appears they are trying to clean up there image. We walked bay street towards the fire. They have not started repairs yet. We then walked to the Queens stairs, and were very disappointed. They have added a small straw market there, and they are very pushy. The waterfalls that is next to it has been shut off, so all the beautiful flora and fauna is gone. They said you can go to the top of the water tower. We were sceptical as it hasn't been open in the past few years, and that is exactly what we found.. padlocked. They now charge to get into Fort Fincastle, which was always free before. Back to Bay street, bought some adult beverages and back on board the ship by 3pm.

Day4 sea Day.

Dining. We originally had late seating, but by day 2 we were able to change to early dining. Food was what I call down home cooking, and tasted great. Joseph, the Maitre D was wonderful.

Shows.. Back to the 80's, and then a Spanish show. The costumes sometimes were not well suited for small children as bare butts were the norm. Different comedy shows, one for families then the adult comedy.

Debarkation was a breeze.. off by 8:15 will self disembark.

Overall impressions.. the ship is clean and neat, the only problem I didn't like was the numbering system in the elevators (A, P,E) etc, not 1,2,3, so you had to constantly look up to see what floor you wanted.

Fascination was a great get away from work and the world! I would go again! Less

Cabin review: 6Ar153 Ocean View

Port and Shore Excursions

Key West is a great place, and one of the reasons that this trip was booked. The downside to this is that the ship arrives at 7 am and the shops don't open until 10am, and you had to be back on board by 2pm. I wish we could have like 10-8 so you could see a sunset.